Read With Your Preschooler!

Since preschoolers are very curious, reading to your children on a daily basis  will have a great impact on them socially, emotionally and educationally. Preschoolers love to ask questions and want to share what they know. Books help them explore the world and open up their imagination on a whole new level. Here is a breakdown of why, how and when you should read to your child:

Why Read To Them?

Curiously about the world creates an excitement for learning. Sharing books about animals, ideas, people and words opens them up to broad range of things that they not might normally be exposed to. Reading and talking about the pictures of a story helps increase their vocabulary and understanding. If you make this a fun habit, consistent reading will also help develop your child’s attention span.

When You Should Read To Them:

It’s important to establish a daily routine of reading with your children. Bedtime is a great time to read, as it is when your child is most relaxed and can sit and enjoy the story. If you’re just beginning to read stories with your child, start off reading for 5-10 minutes. Then, as they become more familiar, you can increase the time to 20 minutes or more.

How You Should Read To Them:

It’s a good idea to make reading a relaxed, positive experience. When reading is fun, a child will want to repeat the experience, sharing more books and learning more words.

• Since preschoolers have a good sense of humor, they enjoy participating. As you read, add sounds, motions, and funny voices. Encourage ypour child  to join in with repeated phrases and motions. It’s also a good idea to get them involved in the story by asking questions. This will help them learn and really digest the material they are hearing.

• Explain unfamiliar words. As you read, point to the words to show them that you are reading the words, not the pictures.

• To hold attention to the story, try using a child’s name, as well as the names of family members or friends.

When you follow these tips, it will show your child that reading can be fun!  At Miss Sue's, our learning centers emphasize individual growth through language arts. Every day our children are involved with interactive language experiences. To learn more about our program or to enroll your child, visit our website or give us a call at 516-938-0894.

Why Choose Miss Sue’s

The new school year will be here before you know it, so it’s time to start thinking about where you’re going to send your toddler in the fall. Parents always want what’s best for their child, and selecting a school is no exception. There are tons of nursery schools on Long Island to choose from, but none of them are Miss Sue’s. Here are some things that makes us so great:

Our Philosophy:

We provide the best education possible in a safe and loving environment. We address the individual needs of each and every child and foster growth through lessons, learning centers, one on one time and play. We strive to help every child develop emotionally, socially, physically and academically.

Our Curriculum:

Miss Sue’s recognizes the importance of keeping up with the times. Our curriculum is constantly-evolving, combining creativity with learning, We believe in a multi-sensory approach, and feel that supplementing learning through art, music, science and physical activities is very beneficial and successful.

We’re Family Owned and Operated:

For three generations, Miss Sue’s has been vital in shaping the lives of so many students. Since we are a family business, we feel that our staff and students are part of our family too! We have worked together as a family unit to develop new techniques, give children an educational advantage, promote social and emotional growth and instill a love of learning.

Our Success Speaks For Itself:

At Miss Sue’s, we do our best to set each child up for their own personal success. Since nursery school is their first step into the education system, it’s important that we give them the tools, support and skills necessary for them to flourish. We encourage our students to be curious about the world around them. It is no wonder that Miss Sue's graduates go on to become successful doctors, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, scientists, inventors, athlete and well-rounded individuals.

Are you ready to enroll your child in a superior nursery school on Long Island? If so, choose Miss Sue's! We go to great lengths to provide your children the best education available. Enrollment for the 2016-17 school year has already begun. Give us a call at 516-938-0894 or visit us here to enroll now.

Things Your Child Should Know Before Kindergarten

Preschool time should be all about fostering a love to play, learn and explore within your children! While it’s important for your children to learn in the classroom, it’s equally important for them to continue learning at home to get them ready for the next phase of their lives. Have you ever wondered what exactly your children need to know before kindergarten?

This Get-Ready-For-Kindergarten checklist will be sure to keep you and your kids on track!

They should be able to…

• State first and last name when asked.
• Write first name with first letter upper case and remaining letters lower case.
• Use appropriate three-finger grasp when using writing instruments (pencils, crayons and scissors).
• Know all the letters in their first name.
• Identify basic geometric shapes (triangle, circle, square, rectangle, oval, star, diamond and heart.
• Know basic colors (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, black, white, brown, pink).
• Count to 10 and identify numerals 1-10 in random order.
• Make most letter/sound matches.
• Identify most upper and lower case letters.
• Know the alphabet
• Sing along to songs learned in the classroom.

Socially, your child should be able to…

• Use restroom independently including washing hands without reminder.

• Take off and put on outerwear including jackets, mittens, hat and scarf.

• Sit for a story for 5-10 minutes.

• Clean up after themselves.

• Shares materials and toys with other children.

• Be confident and ready to separate from parent.

• Be able to listen and follow 2-3 step directions.

• Be able to solve problems without aggression.

Looking for superior school to get your kids ready for Kindergarten? Look no further than Miss Sue's Nursery School on Long Island! We would love for you to visit our school and see our program in action. To schedule an appointment or to learn more, give us a call at  516-938-0894 or visit us on Facebook.

Water Safety Tips for Kids

There are few things better than jumping in a swimming pool or taking a dip at the beach to provide some cool relief from hot weather. But something so fun can also be very dangerous for kids! Parents must take precautions to keep their kids safe in the water. Here are some tips to keep your little ones safe this summer.

• Be aware of all small bodies of water. Children are drawn to places like fishponds, fountains, watering cans and bathtubs. Make sure to pay extra close attention when your child is near an area like this, and always empty containers of water to avoid any unnecessary danger!
• Swimming pools require constant supervision. Any time your child is in a pool, even a shallow baby pool, they should be watched by someone who knows CPR and is always within arms length.
• Extra precautions must be taken when your child is playing in an area near a pool. Make sure to enforce a no running rule and that the pool is surrounded with at least a 4 foot fence with a functioning gate.
• Always remove a pool cover completely and put away floats and inflatables when they are not in use. These can serve as potential hazards to children if they cover their head, making it harder for them to go above the water.
• Make sure your child wears a life jacket anytime he/she swims or rides in a boat. It’s important that the jacket fits properly and can’t be lifted over their head after it’s fastened.
• Eliminate distractions when supervising your children in the water. Talking on the phone, working on the computer or tending to other household chores can all wait until your child is safely out of the water.

We hope that these tips will keep your kids safe in the water this summer! If you’re looking for a superior Nursery School on Long Island to send your child to next year, choose Miss Sue’s. But don't wait until the summer is over to enroll. Call 516-938-0894 today to inquire about enrollment.